frequently spoken of in connection with someone who commits indecency, it is not confined to that context. Thus, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to someone who spat in the direction of prayer:
“You have caused distress to Allah and His Messenger.”
Likewise, he said concerning his daughter Fātimah:
“What troubles her troubles me, and what causes her distress causes me distress.”
He also said concerning those who ate garlic and onions:
“The angels are distressed by the same things that distress the children of Adam.”
He said to someone carrying arrows:
“Hold them by their points so that you do not hurt any Muslim.”
Allah, Exalted is He, has said:
“When you have eaten, disperse, without lingering for conversation. Indeed, that was causing the Prophet distress.”
Regarding His words, Exalted is He, “But if they both repent and reform”: does repentance include acknowledging one’s sin? If the sin is established by a person’s confession, but he denies having confessed and accuses those who witnessed his confession of lying—or if it is established through the testimony of witnesses—is he regarded as repentant in such circumstances? There is disagreement on this. Imam Ahmad stated that there is no repentance for someone who denies his sin; rather, repentance is for someone who acknowledges it and repents. He cited as evidence the account of ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib, before whom a group of people were brought after testimony had been given accusing them of heresy. Some acknowledged it and repented, and he accepted their repentance. Others denied it, and he put them to death.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to ʿĀʾishah:
“If you have committed a sin, then seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him. For when a servant acknowledges his sin and then repents, Allah accepts his repentance.”
Narrated by al-Bukhārī.
Whoever sins secretly should repent secretly; he is not required to disclose his sin. As stated in the hadith:
“Whoever falls into any of these foul sins should avail himself of Allah’s concealment